System and methods for actively managing electric power over an electric power grid

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing power on an electric power grid including a server for communicating IP-based messages over a network with distributed power consuming devices and/or power supplying devices, the IP-based messages including information including a change in state of the power consuming device(s), a directive for a change in state of the power consuming device(s), a priority message, an alert, a status, an update, a location with respect to the electric power grid, a function, device attributes, and combinations thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for managing power on an electric power grid, comprising:
 a server and a database in network communication with at least one distributed power consuming device and at least one distributed power supplying device; 
 wherein the at least one distributed power consuming device and the at least one distributed power supplying device participate in the electric power grid by consuming power, supplying power, and/or providing power curtailment; 
 wherein the server communicates IP-based messages with the at least one distributed power consuming device and the at least one distributed power supplying device; 
 wherein the database stores load and supply resource information comprising an amount of power available to be reduced by each of the at least one distributed power consuming device and an amount of power available to be supplied by each of the at least one distributed power supplying device and generates a supply equivalence value for each of the at least one distributed power consuming device based on the power available to be reduced by each of the at least one distributed power consuming device; 
 wherein the supply equivalence value is a monetary supply equivalence value, wherein the supply equivalence value provides for a curtailment value as a requirement for providing supply to the electric power grid; 
 wherein the system provides operating reserves and makes financial settlements based on the supply equivalence value for each of the at least one distributed power consuming device and the power available to be supplied by each of the at least one distributed power supplying device in real time or near real time; 
 wherein the server receives or initiates power control commands requiring a change in an amount of electric power consumed by the at least one distributed power consuming device and/or a change in an amount of power supplied by the at least one distributed power supplying device; 
 wherein the system forms at least one Power Trade Block (PTB) unit by aggregating the supply equivalence value of each of the multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices in real time or near real time; 
 wherein the capacity size or energy data in the at least one PTB is dependent on a grid operator, regional transmission operator, or independent system operator, and wherein the at least one PTB is accepted for bidding, trading, and settlement by any entity authorized by a government entity; and 
 wherein a minimum acceptable PTB is 100 kW. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the supply equivalence value includes measurement and verification of reduction in consumed power for each of the at least one distributed power consuming device. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the supply equivalence value for each of the at least one distributed power consuming device is generated further based upon historical consumption, real-time consumption and baseline consumption data for each of the at least one distributed power consuming device. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the supply equivalence value is presented to a governing entity for awarding an entity allowed to control the at least one distributed power consuming device. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein supply equivalence values for a multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices are aggregated to reach a minimum capacity amount required to trade and settle the amount of power available to be reduced. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server transforms the load and supply resource information into settlement grade data by the application of standards, regulations, policies, requirements, and combinations thereof based upon grid operators, governing authorities, and market participants. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the IP-based messages include information including at least one of a change in state of the at least one distributed power consuming device, a directive for a change in state of the at least one distributed power consuming device, a priority message, an alert, a status, an update, a location with respect to the electric power grid, a function, and device attributes. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a coordinator, wherein the coordinator routes the IP-based messages between the server and the at least one distributed power consuming device and the at least one distributed power supplying device. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the system provides revenue grade metrology for real-time, near real-time, or the timing required by a grid operator entity for generating operating reserves for grid stability. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the server generates a customer profile for each customer including information about controllable energy consuming devices and related individual structures or service points, and wherein the database stores a plurality of customer profiles for a plurality of customers. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the server aggregates the plurality of customer profiles into groups based on at least one predetermined criterion. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the customer profile comprises customer name; customer address; geodetic location; meter ID; customer programs; device information; customer energy consumption patterns; and connection and disconnection profile. 
     
     
       13. A system for managing power on an electric power grid, comprising:
 a server and a database in network communication with a multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices; 
 wherein the multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices participates in the electric power grid by consuming power and/or providing power curtailment; 
 wherein the server communicates IP-based messages with the multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices; 
 wherein the database stores information comprising an amount of power available to be reduced by each of the multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices and generates a supply equivalence value for each of the multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices based on the amount of power available to be reduced by each of the multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices; 
 wherein the supply equivalence value is confirmed by measurement and verification of reduction in consumed power; wherein the supply equivalence value is presented to a governing entity for awarding an entity allowed to control power consuming devices; wherein the supply equivalence value provides for a curtailment value as a requirement for providing supply to the electric power grid; wherein the supply equivalence value is a monetary supply equivalence value; 
 wherein the server receives or initiates power control commands requiring a change in an amount of electric power consumed by the multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices; 
 
       wherein the system forms at least one Power Trade Block (PTB) unit by aggregating the supply equivalence value of each of the multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices in real time or near real time;
 wherein the system provides operating reserves based upon the supply equivalence value for each of the multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices and/or the at least one PTB; 
 wherein the capacity size or energy data in the at least one PTB is dependent on a grid operator, regional transmission operator, or independent system operator, and wherein the at least one PTB is accepted for bidding, trading, and settlement by any entity authorized by a government entity; and 
 wherein a minimum acceptable PTB is 100 kW. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the system provides revenue grade metrology for measurements accepted for settlement purposes. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the supply equivalence value is in units of capacity, demand, electrical power flow, time, monetary equivalent, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the IP-based messages include information including at least one of a change in state of the multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices, a directive for a change in state of the multiplicity of distributed power consuming devices, a priority message, an alert, a status, an update, a location with respect to the electric power grid, a function, and device attributes. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the system transforms the information stored in the database into settlement grade data for making financial settlements. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one distributed power consuming device and the at least one distributed power supplying device transmit to the server and the database revenue grade metrology data related to the participation in the electric power grid.